Bears notes: Martz system breeds confidence, confusion

Friday

Jul 30, 2010 at 12:01 AMJul 30, 2010 at 2:23 AM

BOURBONNAIS — Though few would admit it while checking in to training camp Thursday, the pressure is on the Bears to fulfill those constantly high expectations with a strong season this year. Especially for the offense, which will begin its overhaul in earnest today in Bourbonnais when the Mike Martz system really begins to unfold.

Jay Taft

BOURBONNAIS — Though few would admit it while checking in to training camp Thursday, the pressure is on the Bears to fulfill those constantly high expectations with a strong season this year.

Especially for the offense, which will begin its overhaul in earnest Friday in Bourbonnais when the Mike Martz system really begins to unfold.

“I don’t think there’s any pressure, but we know what we have to do. I’m excited about this offense under Coach Martz,” said receiver Devin Hester, who had 57 catches for 757 yards with three TDs last year. “I wouldn’t say I’ve got (the playbook) down, but, I can understand what it’s about and what we’re going to have to do. How long will it take? I don’t know. But we’ve got a 2½-week process now to find out.”

Martz will start his first season as Chicago’s offensive coordinator, and he brought his extensive and complex pass-happy playbook with him. None of the players said they have “got it down,” as Hester put it, but plenty showed confidence in the fact that once they do, it will work.

“There’s just a lot to it. That’s what makes it so successful, and what makes it so hard to get,” said tight end Greg Olsen, whose role in the new offense has been in question ever since Martz came aboard. “I think I can still play a big role. I think there will be a lot of good ways for me to move around and do a lot of different stuff.”

Defense same, but different
Under new coordinator Rod Marinelli, Chicago will run the same 4-3, cover-two defense that is did in the past, but many believe it will look a lot different.

And work better.

“There’s nothing different about it,” linebacker Nick Roach said.

However, defensive lineman Israel Idonije added: “Things will go a lot differently under Marinelli this year. It’s all about the system and consistency. He does a great job of bringing the intensity level up, and getting guys to do their jobs.”

Forte feels heat
After suffering through the proverbial sophomore slump last year, running back Matt Forte is feeling the heat after former-Viking back Chester Taylor was signed over the offseason.

“I don’t know how it will work; I guess we’ll see,” said Forte, who had 929 yards and four touchdowns on the ground last year after breaking the Bears single-season rookie record with 1,238 yards and eight TDs in 2008. “It’s a competition between us, and we know it.

“Everybody’s job is in jeopardy.”

Harris hopes to bolster INTs
Chris Harris, a defensive back in his first two NFL seasons with the Bears from 2005-06, is returning to the Chicago D after three years with Carolina.

He’s hoping his return will help lift a defense that hauled in just 13 interceptions last year, and one that helped produce a minus-six turnover ratio for the year.

“This defense is based off of turnovers. We need to get interceptions and fumbles, and I hope I can help there,” Harris said. “I plan on getting a few (interceptions) this year. That’s one thing we need to do in order for this defense to be dominant again.”

Bears reporter Jay Taft can be reached at 815-987-1384 or jtaft@rrstar.com.